NZ surf photographer Ric Chan has an eccentric mix of Chinese and New Zealand heritage. Ric regards himself as “the first Chinaman to shoot surf photos in NZ and OZ.”
In his youth he was the lead singer in The Morgueman band in New Zealand. He left his homeland in 1965 and travelled the East Coast of Australia, capturing some of the hottest up and coming locals between Manly and Noosa. In 1969 he drove to Melbourne, then Adelaide at the invitation of South Australian surfer Lane Habib. While in Adelaide he met John Arnold (John Arnold Surfboards), who asked him to shoot the first Australian Surfing Championships held in WA and design the tickets for Paul Witzig’s surf film Evolution.
After completing his assignment with JA, Ric drove his gold-coloured Kombi across the Nullarbor to WA, he settled in at Margaret River and continued to snap surf photographs for WA and East Coast surf mags.
Refer to Ric’s 70-80s Media Images articles to see what he got up to after the 60s.
These are some of Ric’s media images and surf articles from the 60s.
New Zealand
1963 Ric (age 18) with his car & surfboard at NZ beach.1960s Ric with his sister and brother (and bush turkey) on NZ beach.1960s Ric front man with his Morguemen Band members.
East Coast
1968 Photo shoot with Ric & unidentified model Sydney Heads NSW.1968 Inaugural World Surfing Champion Midget Farrelly surfing Mid-Steyne Manly NSW.. Photo Ric Chan1968 Fashion shoot with Ric and unidentified model in cemetery Sydney NSW.1968. Peter Cornishcuttie Treachery Beach NSW. Photo Ric Chan1969 Ric’s Kombi parked outside Wilderness Surfboard Factory Yamba NSW. Surfboard craftsman Bob McTavish (centre) is standing on the verandah.
South Australia
1969 Rick Chan modelling O’Neill wetsuit in Surf International mag1969 Evolution movie ticket (front) designed by Ric Chan1969 Evolution movie ticket (rear) designed by Ric Chan. Includes reviews by Bob McTavish, Ric Chan, Wayne Lynch and John Arnold.
In January 1969 California’s International SurfingMagazine featured Ric’s OZ surf photos on the front cover and centrespread of their mag.
The mag also published three of Ric’s OZ surf stories and photos in the same edition…. see below.
These Goofies Three.
Curl Territory– A visit to McTavish’s Country Soul and some fun in considerable curls.
Somewhere…Yorkes – Wayne Lynch and friends journey to the cold Yorkes Peninsula.
Note: International SurfingMagazine was later renamed Surfer Magazine and has since ceased print publication. The last issue of the magazine appeared in January 2017
1969 International Surfing Mag cover featuring Wayne Lynch and East coast friends photos by Ric Chan.
1969 Ric & Kombi in selfie on the Nullarbor Plain en route to WA1969 Ric with his camera equipment at Yallingup.
Ric has always been a risk taker. At the 1969 Oz Surfing Titles held at Marg River, Ric rowed a tinnie out to Mainbreak to snap shots closer to the action. WASRA official Trevor Burslem (RIP) had to warn Mr Chan over the PA when large sets where approaching, so he could row out of harms way. Sadly none of Ric’s water shots of this event have survived the years.
1969 Ian Cairns competing in Aust Surf Titles held at Marg River.Photo Ric Chan1969 Media coverage of Aust Titles at Marg River/Yallingup. Independent Newspaper.1969 Ric stylin with his maroon-coloured Jaguar fitted with mega woofer speakers in Perth city.
Ric was a prolific photographer and many of his images survived 20+ years storage in Graham Noakes’ salvage yard at Margaret River.
NZ surf photographer Ric Chan has an eccentric mix of Chinese and New Zealand heritage. Ric regards himself as “the first Chinaman to shoot surf photos in NZ and OZ.”
In his youth he was the lead singer in The Morgueman band in New Zealand. He left his homeland in 1965 and travelled the East Coast of Australia, capturing some of the hottest up and coming locals between Manly and Noosa. In 1969 he drove to Melbourne, then Adelaide at the invitation of South Australian surfer Lane Habib. While in Adelaide he met John Arnold (John Arnold Surfboards), who asked him to shoot the first Australian Surfing Championships held in WA and design the tickets for Paul Witzig’s surf film Evolution.
After completing his assignment with JA, Ric drove his gold-coloured Kombi across the Nullarbor to WA, he settled in at Margaret River and continued to snap surf photographs for WA and East Coast surf mags.
Extract from Ric’s bio courtesy of John Ogden’s Waterproof Australian Surf Photography since 1858 book published 2021
Refer to Ric’s 70-80s Media Images articles to see what he got up to after the 60s.
These are some of Ric’s media images and surf articles from the 60s.
New Zealand
East Coast
South Australia
In January 1969 California’s International Surfing Magazine featured Ric’s OZ surf photos on the front cover and centrespread of their mag.
The mag also published three of Ric’s OZ surf stories and photos in the same edition…. see below.
Note: International Surfing Magazine was later renamed Surfer Magazine and has since ceased print publication. The last issue of the magazine appeared in January 2017
.
Western Australia
Ric has always been a risk taker. At the 1969 Oz Surfing Titles held at Marg River, Ric rowed a tinnie out to Mainbreak to snap shots closer to the action. WASRA official Trevor Burslem (RIP) had to warn Mr Chan over the PA when large sets where approaching, so he could row out of harms way. Sadly none of Ric’s water shots of this event have survived the years.
Ric was a prolific photographer and many of his images survived 20+ years storage in Graham Noakes’ salvage yard at Margaret River.
Thanks for sharing your 60s pics Ric.
Related content
1970s Ric Chan media images posted 18 May 2022
Coming soon 1980s Ric Chan media images
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